MANSFIELD, OH- The Ashland football squad has risen to the top of the Ohio Cardinal Conference standings behind the strength of a 6-1 start. The Arrows remain unbeaten in conference play at 3-0 after a significant 46-20 victory at Mansfield Senior (5-2, 2-1) last Friday in what figures to beat the squads biggest test in the league this season.

Coach Scott Valentine is now in his 16th season coaching the Ashland football program where he also played high school football and later starred at Ashland University in college. He joined host Brian Skowronski this week on The Sports Buzz to discuss the Arrows season along with his senior signal-caller Keagan Armitage.

Armitage has had an incredible season thus far for the black and orange, completing 110-172 (64%) of his passes for 1,701 yards, 19 touchdowns, and just 5 interceptions. While most expected Keagan to have success through the air in Valentine's spread system, not even Armitage could have imagined the damage he's done in the running game so far.

The senior QB, who laughed at Skowronski a few weeks before the start of the regular season when he said he was a good scrambler, is averaging over 88 yards per game on the ground with 10 rushing scores. Valentine says the dynamic of having a strong running attack, which is chewing up 203 yards per contest on the season, has helped the passing attack and allowed the offense to prosper with consistency.

The Arrows offensive line deserves a ton of credit for the success of the offense so far and as a veteran QB Armitage knows the best way to repay their hard work, by filling their sizeable stomaches. Every Wednesday evening, Armitage has the unit of Arrows slobs over for dinner where they watch The Sports Buzz every week (unconfirmed) and enjoy a home-cooked meal by Keagan's mother.

Another thank you should also be in order for the Arrows giant outside receivers Manny Langston and Kameron Knowlton-Goings, who both stand at 6' 6" tall. Both Valentine and Armitage recognize what a luxury it is to have a pair of massive targets in the passing game to compliment slot receivers Owen Reef, Bryke Williams and Mitchell Heilman.

Next up Valentine, Armitage and company is a trip to play rival Lexington (1-6) on Friday where Ashland hopes to keep their perfect conference record intact as they pursue a second straight OCC championship.

Watch brand new episodes of The Sports Buzz every Wednesday at 8 pm on WMFD-TV.